U.S. patent number 9,505,544 [Application Number 13/131,465] was granted by the patent office on 2016-11-29 for cartridge, medicament dispenser for solid medicament portions, and uses of the cartridge and of the medicament dispenser.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Bayer Intellectual Property GmbH. The grantee listed for this patent is Sven Filler, Benjamin Holch, Nat Jarvis, Uwe Karla, Sabine Leifeld, Tom Reinhold, Nina Voege, Peter Weber, James Whittaker. Invention is credited to Sven Filler, Benjamin Holch, Nat Jarvis, Uwe Karla, Sabine Leifeld, Tom Reinhold, Nina Voege, Peter Weber, James Whittaker.
United States Patent |
9,505,544 |
Leifeld , et al. |
November 29, 2016 |
Cartridge, medicament dispenser for solid medicament portions, and
uses of the cartridge and of the medicament dispenser
Abstract
For safe storage and simple and safe administration of tablets T
by a user, a cartridge 900 is provided that can be inserted into a
medicament dispenser 1 for solid medicament portions T and that is
designed with a reservoir for receiving the medicament portions T,
and a medicament dispenser 1 for this cartridge 900 is also
provided. According to the invention, the cartridge 900 comprises a
singulation device 910 that is designed to dispense defined
medicament portions T and that comprises a movable mechanism 940
for separating a defined medicament portion T from the reservoir
and for dispensing it from the medicament dispenser 1, wherein the
singulation device 910 is designed to produce an operative
connection to an actuating device 14, 220, 224, 226; 15, 210; 230
in the medicament dispenser 1.
Inventors: |
Leifeld; Sabine (Berlin,
DE), Reinhold; Tom (Munster, DE), Filler;
Sven (Oranienburg, DE), Karla; Uwe (Wandlitz,
DE), Weber; Peter (Altensteig, DE), Voege;
Nina (Amsterdam, NL), Jarvis; Nat (Herrenberg,
DE), Holch; Benjamin (Nagold, DE),
Whittaker; James (Amsterdam, NL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Leifeld; Sabine
Reinhold; Tom
Filler; Sven
Karla; Uwe
Weber; Peter
Voege; Nina
Jarvis; Nat
Holch; Benjamin
Whittaker; James |
Berlin
Munster
Oranienburg
Wandlitz
Altensteig
Amsterdam
Herrenberg
Nagold
Amsterdam |
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A |
DE
DE
DE
DE
DE
NL
DE
DE
NL |
|
|
Assignee: |
Bayer Intellectual Property
GmbH (Monheim, DE)
|
Family
ID: |
41600674 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/131,465 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2009 |
PCT
Filed: |
November 14, 2009 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/EP2009/008123 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
November 24, 2011 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2010/060546 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
June 03, 2010 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20120055948 A1 |
Mar 8, 2012 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
|
|
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Nov 26, 2008 [DE] |
|
|
10 2008 059 672 |
Nov 26, 2008 [DE] |
|
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10 2008 059 674 |
Nov 26, 2008 [DE] |
|
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10 2008 059 675 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
83/0418 (20130101); A61J 7/0076 (20130101); B65D
2583/0481 (20130101); B65D 2583/0431 (20130101); A61J
1/03 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07F
11/16 (20060101); B65G 59/00 (20060101); B65H
3/00 (20060101); A61J 7/00 (20060101); B65D
83/04 (20060101); A61J 1/03 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;221/197,198,279,187,235,260,232,234,251,231 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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3143953 |
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May 1983 |
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DE |
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8807774 |
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Sep 1989 |
|
DE |
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4230452 |
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Mar 1994 |
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DE |
|
1189822 |
|
Mar 2005 |
|
EP |
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2002-502779 |
|
Jan 2002 |
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JP |
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99/39991 |
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Aug 1999 |
|
WO |
|
2005/028316 |
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Mar 2005 |
|
WO |
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2007/081947 |
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Jul 2007 |
|
WO |
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2008/071233 |
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Jun 2008 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
International Search Report, dated Apr. 6, 2010, issued in
corresponding PCT/EP2009/008123. cited by applicant .
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority issued in
corresponding PCT/EP2009/008123. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Kumar; Rakesh
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Mehta; Aseem
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A cartridge that can be inserted into a medicament dispenser for
solid medicament portions, the cartridge comprising: a reservoir
for receiving the medicament portions; a tablet rider that moves in
an axial direction in the reservoir of the cartridge, wherein the
tablet rider rests on a top of a stack of the medicament portions
in the reservoir and includes a rider arm that engages through an
axially extending slit between a front shell of the cartridge and a
rear shell of the cartridge; a plug that rests on the tablet rider
and frictionally slides in the axial direction, the plug comprising
two locking lugs that engage in ratchet tracks and prevent the
medicament portions from slipping out of place or against one
another; and a singulation device that dispenses defined medicament
portions, the singulation device comprising a movable mechanism
that separates a defined medicament portion from the reservoir and
dispenses the defined medicament portion from the medicament
dispenser, wherein the singulation device is operatively connected
to an actuating device provided in the medicament dispenser for the
singulation device.
2. The cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug is
frictionally connected to the cartridge to compensate for a
fluctuation in stack height resulting from variation in thickness
of the medicament portions.
3. The cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable
mechanism for separating and dispensing the medicament portions
comprises a slide that is movable perpendicularly with respect to a
longitudinal axis of the cartridge.
4. The cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the singulation
device is arranged at one end of the cartridge.
5. The cartridge as claimed in claim 3, wherein the slide is
movable relative to the reservoir in the cartridge between two
slide positions, perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal
axis of the cartridge.
6. The cartridge as claimed in claim 3, wherein the slide has a
receiving compartment which is open at both ends in the axial
direction and which receives a defined medicament portion.
7. The cartridge as claimed in claim 6, wherein the singulation
device further comprises a bottom shell, and in that the bottom
shell has a dispensing opening which is offset with respect to the
cartridge axis and flush with the receiving compartment in one of
the two slide positions of the slide.
8. The use of the cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main
body includes two spring elements that include the two locking
lugs.
9. The use as claimed in claim 8, wherein the medicament portions
are hormone preparations.
10. A medicament dispenser for solid medicament portions, which is
designed to receive an exchangeable cartridge that comprises: a
reservoir for the medicament portions; a tablet rider that moves in
an axial direction in the reservoir of the cartridge, wherein the
tablet rider rests on a top of a stack of the medicament portions
in the reservoir; a plug that rests on the tablet rider and
frictionally slides in the axial direction, the plug comprising two
locking lugs that engage in two mutually opposite ratchet tracks;
and a singulation device for dispensing defined medicament
portions, wherein the medicament dispenser has at least one
actuating device for the singulation device and also means for
connecting the at least one actuating device and a movable
mechanism on the singulation device for separating a defined
medicament portion from the reservoir and for dispensing it from
the medicament dispenser.
11. A medicament dispenser for solid medicament portions, with an
exchangeable cartridge contained therein, wherein the medicament
dispenser has receiving means for the cartridge, and the cartridge
comprises: a reservoir for receiving the medicament portions; a
tablet rider that moves in an axial direction in the reservoir of
the cartridge, wherein the tablet rider rests on a top of a stack
of the medicament portions in the reservoir and includes a rider
arm that engages through an axially extending slit between a front
shell of the cartridge and a rear shell of the cartridge; a plug
that rests on the tablet rider and frictionally slides in the axial
direction, the plug comprising two spring elements with locking
lugs that engage in ratchet tracks and prevent the medicament
portions from slipping out of place or against one another; and a
singulation device which is designed to dispense defined medicament
portions and which comprises a movable mechanism for separating a
defined medicament portion from the reservoir and for dispensing it
from the medicament dispenser, and which is designed to produce an
operative connection to an actuating device provided in the
medicament dispenser for the singulation device.
12. The medicament dispenser for solid medicament portions as
claimed in claim 11, wherein the medicament dispenser (1) has at
least one actuating device for the singulation device and also
means for connecting the at least one actuating device and the
movable mechanism.
13. The medicament dispenser for solid medicament portions as
claimed in claim 10, wherein the receiving means for the cartridge
are in the form of a receiving shaft which extends in an axial
direction and is designed for insertion of the cartridge, and the
reservoir is designed to receive the medicament portions in a
column-shaped arrangement.
14. The medicament dispenser for solid medicament portions as
claimed in claim 10, wherein the mechanism for separating and
dispensing the medicament portions is a slide that is movable
perpendicularly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the
cartridge.
15. The medicament dispenser for solid medicament portions as
claimed in claim 14, wherein the slide is movable relative to the
reservoir in the cartridge between two slide positions,
perpendicularly with respect to the axis of the cartridge.
16. The medicament dispenser for solid medicament portions as
claimed in claim 14, wherein the slide has a receiving compartment
which is open at both ends in the axial direction and which
receives a defined medicament portion.
17. The medicament dispenser for solid medicament portions as
claimed in claim 16, wherein the singulation device further
comprises a bottom shell, and in that the bottom shell has a
dispensing opening which is offset with respect to the cartridge
axis and flush with the receiving compartment in one of the two
slide positions of the slide.
18. The medicament dispenser for solid medicament portions as
claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one actuating device
comprises, on at least one narrow side of the medicament dispenser,
actuating means for dispensing the medicament portions.
19. The medicament dispenser for solid medicament portions as
claimed in claim 18, wherein the medicament dispenser comprises
mechanisms by which a movement generated by actuation of the
actuating means is transferred to the movable mechanism on the
singulation device provided on the cartridge.
20. A method for storage and dispensing of medicament portions
comprising using the medicament dispenser as claimed in claim
10.
21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the medicament
portions are hormone preparations.
Description
The invention relates to a cartridge for a medicament dispenser, in
which solid medicament portions, for example tablets, are contained
in a preferably column-shaped arrangement. The invention further
relates to the medicament dispenser, and to the medicament
dispenser with the exchangeable cartridge contained therein. The
invention further relates to uses of the cartridge and of the
medicament dispenser for storing and dispensing medicament
portions, for example hormone preparations.
It is known to provide a user with solid medicament portions, for
example tablets, in various types of packages. For example, solid
medicines are very often supplied and each individually sealed in
what are called blister packs (PTP: push-through pack), in which
they are generally packed in closed cells. For this purpose, an in
most cases transparent plastic film with receiving wells for the
portions is welded to an aluminum foil, thus resulting in the
formation of the individual cells in which the tablets are
contained. Before being administered, the tablets are removed from
the individual cells by being pushed out of the receiving wells and
through the aluminum foil. This type of package is in widespread
use, because each individual tablet is stored securely and is
protected from harmful external influences. In another type of
package, the solid medicines are made available in vials, in which
the individual tablets are not individually packed. The users in
this case have to remove the tablets individually by hand. In
another type of package, the tablets, once again not individually
packed, are located in a column-shaped arrangement in a tube. In
this case too, the individual tablets are removed by hand. This is
problematic in the sense that there is a risk of individual tablets
falling out and thus being damaged or soiled. Moreover, the user is
unable to check or see the number of tablets that have already been
taken.
To permit convenient dosing and reliable medication and ensure
careful handling of the medicament portions, it is advantageous if
solid medicament portions packed in this way are made available,
for administration by the user, in a medicament dispenser. In this
case, the medicament portions are contained in the dispenser and
can be dispensed from the dispenser as and when needed. The
advantage of such systems is, among other things, that the
medicament portions in the dispenser are protected from external
influences, and there is the possibility of ensuring, by suitable
means, that the portions are dispensed in a pre-dosed amount.
For the use of medicines that are packed in blister strips, WO
2005/028316 A2, for example, describes a dispenser which has a slit
at one end for receiving a blister strip. In order to dispense
individual tablets, the blister strip is pulled only partially out
of the dispenser, such that only one individual tablet is exposed
or only a small predetermined number of tablets is exposed. This is
made possible by the blister strip having projections in which
grippers engage in order to set a predefined advance movement upon
withdrawal of the blister strip from the dispenser.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,591,043 A discloses a container and dispenser with
a deformable wall and an opening at one end face. When a pressure
is exerted on the side walls, a lower closure element opens as a
result of the deformation of the closure element.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,020 B 1 discloses a further dispenser
containing a blister strip with blister cells arranged in a circle.
The tablets in the blister cells are in principle accessible via a
window on the upper face of the dispenser, but only when a user
exerts pressure on at least one of the tabs, mounted laterally on
the dispenser, of a strip which extends in the rest state across
the window and thereby covers the tablets and protects them from
unauthorized access. By contrast, when the user exerts pressure on
the tab, the strip is bent upward and releases the tablets.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,258 discloses a dispenser for mouth-freshening
lozenges and cough lozenges. The lozenges contained in this
dispenser are stacked. The lozenges are forced upward in a guide by
means of a spring force and in this way arrive at an ejector head,
which has an ejection claw with which the lozenges are dispensed
individually from the side of the dispenser.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,112 also discloses a dispenser for
mouth-freshening lozenges and cough lozenges, in which the lozenges
are stacked in a magazine insertable into the dispenser. In this
case too, the lozenges are forced upward in the magazine by a
spring force and are individually dispensed by an ejector head with
ejection claw provided in the dispenser. In this case, the lozenges
are located in a magazine that can be provided with a simple
protective sleeve for transport. As has been indicated in relation
to U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,258, the tablets are dispensed from the side
of the dispenser.
EP 1 189 822 B1 discloses a tablet dispenser for medical purposes.
It comprises a container which is in the form of a tube and in
which the tablets are stacked and placed under a spring tension.
The tablets are dispensed laterally from the dispenser by means of
an ejection mechanism actuated from the head of the dispenser.
US 2003/0132239 A1 discloses a magazine for receiving stacked
tablets, for example mouth-freshening lozenges and cough lozenges,
which magazine is provided for use in a tablet dispenser. The
tablets are dispensed at the head of the dispenser, by means of an
ejection mechanism, transversely with respect to the axis of the
dispenser.
Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,440 discloses a dispenser for
tablets, for example contraceptives, ignition stones for lighters,
or sweets, such as candies. The tablets or similar are contained as
a stack in a sleeve, which can be inserted into the dispenser. The
tablets or similar are dispensed laterally from the dispenser.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,720 describes a dispenser for candies or
tablets, which has a housing and a magazine that can be locked in
the latter. Two chambers are formed in the housing by the magazine.
In one of the chambers, the candies or tablets are contained in the
magazine. The candies or tablets are ejected laterally upon
actuation of the dispenser, by means of a slide that can be
actuated by the thumb being arranged on the magazine and being
actuated and, consequently, an ejector for laterally dispensing an
individual candy or tablet being actuated.
Moreover, DE 42 30 452 A1 discloses a container for storing and
individually dispensing coated tablets that are received in
supports. For dispensing the coated tablets, the container has a
press ram and an ejector tongue, of which at least the tip is
flexible. By actuation of the press ram, the tip moves in the
direction of pressing and, by virtue of the shape of the guide for
the ejector tongue, moves directly through an opening in the
peripheral surface of the support. The opening is located on the
outer edge of the support, opposite a second opening through which
a coated tablet can be forced out, with the tip of the ejector
tongue pressed into the interior of the support.
WO 2008/071233 A1 discloses a tablet dispenser with an insertable
magazine. A dispensing mechanism for the tablets is mounted on the
dispenser and comprises a trigger button, a dispenser slide for the
tablets, and a mechanism for transferring the pressing movement on
the head to the dispenser slide.
DE 88 07 774 U1 discloses a tablet dispenser with a grip piece,
which is connected to a tablet reservoir, a slide and a cover,
which is provided with an opening through which the tablet to be
removed falls out.
DE 31 43 953 A1 discloses a dosing dispenser which is designed for
tablet-shaped products and which contains a base element with a
dosing slide mounted movably therein. A tablet cartridge or tablet
reservoir can be inserted into the dosing dispenser. When the
dosing slide is actuated, the products fall individually out of the
dispenser.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,270,915 A discloses a dosing dispenser which is
designed for pharmaceutical tablets and which comprises an outer
container, a cylindrical magazine that can be inserted into the
dispenser, a lower closure piece, and a rotary slide in the closure
piece. The rotary slide contains an opening through which the
tablets fall out.
In most of the known medicament dispensers listed above, it is not
specified how the tablets, lozenges, candies or the like are
introduced into the dispenser. It is true that some documents, for
example U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,440, state that the sleeve containing
the tablets or the like is exchangeable and is inserted into a
cavity in the dispenser. Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,720 states
that a magazine containing the candies or tablets is inserted into
a housing. It has been found, however, that the use of such
dispensers is problematic, especially when used by persons with
visual impairment or in poor lighting conditions, because the
ejected tablets or the like cannot in all cases be caught by the
users, and instead the tablets or the like fall to the ground and
are lost. Especially when the dispenser is used to dispense small
tablets, it can happen that the person using it is uncertain
whether or not a tablet has been dispensed.
Moreover, in the known devices, it is not guaranteed that the
tablets remain undamaged in each phase of use, especially during
insertion into the dispenser.
The problem addressed by the present invention is therefore that
the known medicament dispensers do not permit sufficiently simple
and safe handling during use and dispensing of solid medicament
portions, and the object is therefore to find means for storing and
dispensing solid medicament portions, in particular a cartridge for
a medicament dispenser, a medicament dispenser, and a medicament
dispenser in which such a cartridge for the medicament portions is
located, which means avoid said problems of use and dispensing of
the portions. In particular, the medicament dispenser and the
cartridge are to be easy and reliable to operate, and they should
in particular ensure that the user can safely remove each
individual medicament portion from the dispenser, without the
portion being lost and the user, in the worst case, not even
noticing this. Moreover, the solid medicament portions must not be
damaged during transport and storage, nor when used in the
dispenser.
This problem is solved, and the object achieved, by the
exchangeable cartridge according to patent claim 1, a medicament
dispenser according to patent claim 10, a medicament dispenser
containing such an exchangeable cartridge for solid medicament
portions according to patent claim 11, the use of the cartridge
according to patent claim 8, and the use of the medicament
dispenser according to patent claim 20. Preferred embodiments of
the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.
Where the terms "solid medicament portions" and "medicament
portions" are used below in the description of the invention and in
the patent claims, these terms are to be understood as meaning
pills, coated pills, capsules, tablets and other solid presentation
forms. To simplify the description of the invention, the term
"tablets" is used below as being representative of other (solid)
medicament portions. Therefore, the use of this term is intended in
each case to signify any desired type of (solid) medicament
portions.
Where terms are used below, in the description of the invention and
in the patent claims, to designate in particular structural
elements of the subject matter according to the invention, such as
"receiving means" and the like, these terms, irrespective of
whether they are used in the singular or plural, are to be
understood in the singular and in the plural.
The cartridge according to the invention and the solid medicament
dispenser are used jointly to dispense the tablets, with the
cartridge being inserted into the dispenser for use thereof. The
cartridge and the dispenser preferably serve to administer
medicaments and particularly preferably to administer hormone
preparations and most preferably contraceptives or medicaments for
hormone replacement therapy in the form of tablets.
If the medicament contained in the cartridge is, for example, a
hormone preparation, for instance for contraception, the latter can
be taken in the usual manner, for example in a 24-hour cycle in a
two-phase fixed administration scheme. According to this scheme, a
first administration phase, for example of 21 days, is followed by
a second, administration-free period. For example, the
administration-free period can be 7 days, or also 4 days, or
another fixed number of days. Instead of the aforementioned fixed
periods, for example of 21 administration days and 7 days free of
administration, or 24 administration days and 4 days free of
administration, or also instead of another fixed administration
regimen, certain medicaments, for example for contraception, can
also be taken in a flexible administration scheme, in which the
administration phase lasts for at least 24 days and for at most 120
days, for example, and the administration-free phase lasts for 4
days, for example. Thus, the administration phase then divides into
a first administration phase lasting 24 days and a second
administration phase lasting 0 to 96 days.
The cartridge according to the invention is insertable into the
medicament dispenser according to the invention and exchangeable.
It is exchanged when empty. An empty cartridge is replaced by a
full cartridge. The full cartridge is used to replenish the
dispenser with tablets. For safe storage and transport of the
cartridge, the latter can be accommodated in a preferably sealed
container, for example in a closed pouch or in a blister pack
which, for example, is made of aluminum foils and in which a
receiving well for the cartridge is produced by cold-forming, as
long as the cartridge is not yet to be inserted into the dispenser.
In principle, however, the cartridge can also be connected fixedly
to the dispenser, such that the dispenser is discarded when the
cartridge is empty.
The cartridge is provided with a reservoir for receiving tablets,
preferably in a column-shaped arrangement. The cartridge is
therefore preferably cylindrical and preferably has a cylindrical
reservoir.
To ensure the exchangeability of the cartridge according to the
invention in the medicament dispenser according to the invention,
the dispenser has receiving means for the cartridge, for example a
receiving shaft which extends in the axial direction therein and
into which the cartridge can be pushed. For use of the medicament
dispenser, the cartridge is inserted, for example pushed, into the
receiving means, for example into the receiving shaft. Thus, the
cartridge and the dispenser can be in a spatial and physical
relationship to each other and together form the combination,
according to the invention, of medicament dispenser and cartridge,
which can be assembled to form one unit.
According to the invention, the cartridge has a singulation device
for dispensing defined medicament portions, preferably at one end.
This singulation device comprises a movable mechanism for
separating a defined medicament portion from the reservoir and for
dispensing it from the medicament dispenser. The singulation device
is designed to produce an operative connection to an actuating
device arranged in the medicament dispenser for the singulation
device. The singulation device is preferably designed such that the
tablets are each dispensed individually or in another defined
number, for example two tablets at the same time. For this purpose,
the singulation device is actuated via the operative connection
between the singulation device and an actuating device or several
actuating devices provided on the medicament dispenser. The
actuating devices can comprise manual actuating means provided on
the medicament dispenser, in order to dispense one tablet (or also
several tablets at a time), and also mechanisms in the dispenser
with which the movement generated by manual actuation of the
actuating means is transferred to the movable mechanism on the
singulation device provided on the cartridge. Since, in this
embodiment of the invention, the singulation device for the tablets
is provided on the cartridge, such a device is not provided on the
medicament dispenser. By contrast, the actuating device or
actuating devices for the singulation device are mounted on the
medicament dispenser in this embodiment. These actuating devices
are in a preferably mechanical operative connection to the
singulation device. An electromechanical or purely electronic
operative connection is also conceivable. To provide a mechanical
operative connection, the singulation device on the cartridge can,
for example, be provided with a pin, which can also be designated
as a driver pin. In this case, by actuation of the actuating means
on the dispenser, a movement is transferred for example to a claw
provided with a recess and adapted to this carrier pin and from
this claw to the carrier pin and hence to the singulation device.
The movement generated by manual actuation of the actuating means
on the dispenser is transferred to the claw preferably via the
further interposed mechanical elements, for example transport
levers, which represent the mechanisms for transferring the
movement from the actuating means to the singulation device.
The provision of the singulation device on the cartridge has
several advantageous functions:
The singulation device is used to allow the user to dispense the
tablets contained in the cartridge either individually or in a
defined number. Therefore, the user is allowed to safely remove the
tablets from the cartridge, without more than one tablet (or more
than a defined number of tablets) accidentally being dispensed at
the same time.
Moreover, the singulation device closes the reservoir and therefore
protects the tablets contained in the reservoir from external
influences, such that the tablets contained therein cannot be
damaged or otherwise impaired. In particular, the singulation
device is used as a closure element, for example during transport
and storage, but also during use by the user, such that the tablets
are protected from external influences.
Provision of the singulation device on the cartridge further
ensures that tablets cannot accidentally fall out, since the
closure element cannot be accidentally detached. The singulation
device can preferably only be actuated, and tablets thus released
individually (or in a defined number), when the cartridge is
inserted into the medicament dispenser. For actuation of the
singulation device on the cartridge, manual actuating means are
provided on the medicament dispenser, since for simple handling it
is necessary to actuate the manual actuating means on the dispenser
in order to dispense an individual tablet (or a defined number of
tablets). It is in any case impossible, because of the singulation
device, for more than one tablet (or more than a defined number of
tablets) to be dispensed from the cartridge, and it is also
extremely unlikely that the closure element of the cartridge on the
singulation device will already be manually actuated when the
cartridge is not located in the dispenser.
The assembly work when inserting the cartridge into the dispenser
is also minimal. For example, it may suffice for the cartridge to
be pushed axially into the receiving means for the cartridge in the
dispenser, without a cover having to be removed or other assembly
measures having to be taken. Therefore, it is not necessary, for
example, to remove a lid, as in the case of the dispenser according
to U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,440, in order to place the cartridge into
the receiving shaft. This greatly facilitates the use of the
dispenser with the cartridge. This advantage is achieved in
particular by the fact that the singulation device is at the same
time a closure element and is provided on the cartridge and not on
the dispenser.
Moreover, during operation of the dispenser, the singulation device
is actuated repeatedly and frequently in order to remove the
tablets. Since the singulation device is provided on the cartridge
and not on the medicament dispenser, wear and tear of the
singulation device does not have the same disadvantage to the user
as it would do if the singulation device were provided on the
medicament dispenser, since the singulation device is exchanged
with the cartridge when the latter no longer contain any tablets.
If the singulation device were to be provided on the dispenser and
not on the cartridge, it would have to be designed for a very much
longer useful life, by suitable choice of materials and suitable
construction. Moreover, abraded matter from the tablets, which can
collect in particular in the singulation device, is discarded with
the cartridge and does not collect in the dispenser during the
entire lifetime of the latter. At any rate, this abraded matter, in
combination with (air) moisture, is a good breeding ground for
germs.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the mechanism of
the singulation device for separating and dispensing the tablets
has a slide that is movable substantially perpendicularly, or
substantially perpendicularly with respect to the axis of the
cartridge. The slide serves as a structural element for singulation
of the tablets. The slide can receive each individual tablet
separately and move it separately in a sliding movement relative to
the stack. The tablets in the cartridge are preferably arranged in
a column-shaped stack located in the reservoir in the cartridge.
The slide can then be arranged at one end of this stack and
separate the tablets one after another from the stack.
For this purpose, the slide can preferably have a receiving
compartment which is open at both ends in the axial direction and
which receives a defined medicament portion, for example an
individual tablet, or two tablets at the same time, or even more,
i.e. more than two tablets at the same time. When receiving the
tablet from the stack, this receiving compartment is closed on the
side facing away from the stack. The receiving compartment is
preferably dimensioned such that (only) one individual tablet (or
also a defined number of tablets) finds space therein. To ensure
that the singulation is effective and reproducible, the height of
this compartment can be exactly the same as or slightly greater
than the height of an individual tablet (or the height of a stack
of a defined number of tablets). In this case, therefore, only a
single tablet (or a defined number of tablets) is received in the
receiving compartment and separated from the stack of tablets by
the sliding movement.
The singulation device can further comprise a bottom shell.
Moreover, the slide is movable, relative to the reservoir in the
cartridge, between two slide positions and substantially
perpendicularly with respect to the axis of the cartridge. The
bottom shell can be used, among other things, for closing the
receiving compartment on the side lying away from the reservoir in
the cartridge when the receiving compartment is flush with the
reservoir in one of the slide positions (second slide position). In
this case, a tablet passes into the receiving compartment and is
held there by the bottom shell. The slide is then moved to the
other of the two slide positions (first slide position) in which
the tablet can be removed.
In a preferred embodiment, the bottom shell can have a dispensing
opening which is offset with respect to the cartridge axis and
flush with the open receiving compartment when the slide is located
in one of the two slide positions, in particular in the first slide
position. The tablet then falls through the dispensing opening and
can thus be removed. The tablet is thus removed from the side of
the singulation device directed away from the reservoir. In an
alternative embodiment for dispensing the tablet, the first slide
position can also be chosen such that the tablet is dispensed on
the same side of the singulation device as the reservoir. For this
purpose, the slide would have to protrude laterally from the
dispenser, and the first slide position of the receiving
compartment would have to be located in the laterally protruding
part of the slide. The tablets can also be dispensed laterally,
i.e. in the plane in which the tablets are moved by the slide
during the sliding process. In all of these cases, the tablets can
each be stored and separated in a position in which they are
arranged lying with their main surfaces on one another, or in a
position in which they are arranged standing, i.e. lying with their
side surfaces on one another.
The singulation device is preferably switched between the two slide
positions. One of the two slide positions can be a rest position,
and the other slide position can be a second position from which
the singulation device returns automatically to the rest position,
for example by being tensioned in this second position by a spring,
which conveys it back to the rest position. It is possible that the
second slide position, in which the receiving compartment in the
slide is flush with the reservoir of the cartridge, is the rest
position, or that the first slide position, in which the receiving
compartment in the slide is flush with the dispensing opening in
the bottom shell, is the rest position.
The bottom shell of the cartridge can in particular be fitted flush
with the outer skin of the dispenser. This prevents the user from
removing the cartridge from the dispenser by manipulation, for
example before the cartridge is completely empty. Moreover, the
cartridge is fitted in the dispenser in such a way that the
tablets, and thus the medical active substances in the tablets, do
not come into contact with the dispenser or parts thereof when
being singulated and dispensed or released from the dispenser. This
embodiment is particularly advantageous for medico-legal
reasons.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cartridge and the
medicament dispenser are designed such that the cartridge can be
pushed into the dispenser only in one (axial) rotation orientation,
such that one of the two cartridge halves that delimit the
reservoir comprising the tablets is oriented to the front and the
other one is oriented to the rear. This allows the two cartridge
halves to be used in different ways. For example, one half can be
printed, for example with information concerning the tablets
contained in the cartridge, and the other half can be transparent,
such that the tablets can also be seen from the outside.
According to one of the inventions, the cartridge is designed such
that the tablets can be dispensed in the axial direction. This is
to be understood as meaning that the tablets are not dispensed
laterally from the dispenser but instead at an end face of the
dispenser, specifically in a direction extending in the axial
direction, i.e. along the axis of the cartridge or parallel to this
axis and/or also along the axis of the dispenser or parallel
thereto.
Therefore, a user can easily remove the tablets to be dispensed by
holding the dispenser in one hand and using the same hand to
actuate the actuating means provided on the dispenser for
dispensing of the tablets, such that the tablet falls into the
other hand. For this purpose, it is sufficient if the user holds
the dispenser such that the side where the cartridge has been
inserted into the dispenser is held over the other hand and then
actuates the dispenser in order to dispense the tablet. More
defined orientation of the dispenser relative to the hand not
holding the dispenser is not required, such that the tablet falls
safely into the user's hand, and the user can thus safely take hold
of the tablet. Incorrect use, in which the tablet accidentally
falls out and does not end up in the user's hand, is therefore
ruled out in practice. Therefore, the handling of the dispenser is
safer and more reliable than that of the known dispensers.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cartridge
contains a tolerance compensation plug, which sits preferably with
frictional fit in the reservoir and is movable in the axial
direction. This tolerance compensation plug is inserted into the
reservoir before the cartridge is filled with the tablets, and it
presses firmly on the stack of tablets after the cartridge has been
filled with the tablets.
By virtue of the fact that the tolerance compensation plug sits
with a frictional fit in the reservoir, it can keep the stack of
tablets tightly packed even when the cartridge is not located in
the dispenser, for example when the cartridge is being handled
separately, for instance during storage or transport. It is
necessary for the stack of tablets to be held firmly together in
order to prevent the tablets from being able to move freely in the
reservoir, so as to ensure that they do not tilt and become wedged
and thus impede the dispensing of the tablets. Moreover, upon
continued movement against one another, the tablets could also be
subject to undesired abrasion. It should also be noted that the
tablets have a thickness tolerance that leads to a height variation
of the stack of tablets. For example, if the thickness tolerance of
a 3 mm thick tablet is .+-.150 .mu.m, the variation in the height
of a stack of 30 tablets is approximately .+-.4.5 mm. By means of
the tolerance compensation plug, the stack is always held securely
in the reservoir independently of its actual height, i.e. even when
the cartridge is no longer inserted in the dispenser. Compared to a
compression spring, for example, that would press the tablets in
the reservoir against one another and thereby fix them, the
tolerance compensation plug has the advantage that, during
transport and storage, the tablets are packed lying on one another
without force and not, as in the case of the compression spring,
under a spring tension that varies depending on the heights of the
stacked tablets. Thus, the tablets are stored much more gently than
in the case of the known magazines.
To permit the frictional fit of the tolerance compensation plug in
the reservoir of the cartridge, the plug has at least one locking
means for locking onto a profile extending in the axial direction
on the inside wall of the reservoir of the cartridge. This profile
can be formed, for example, by a transverse groove profile made up
of transverse grooves extending parallel to one another. For
example, the transverse groove profile can form at least one
axially extending ratchet track on the inside wall of the cartridge
or can be provided on the entire inner circumference of the inside
wall of the cartridge. By configuring the profile in the form of a
ratchet profile, a form-fit engagement of the plug is achieved in
one direction (toward the dispensing opening), and a friction-fit
engagement in the other direction.
The at least one locking means on the tolerance compensation plug
can in particular be formed by at least one outwardly acting spring
element with locking lugs that locks onto the profile. For example,
two spring elements with locking lugs can be provided on opposite
sides of a base part of the plug, the spring elements preferably
being outwardly resilient spring arms that protrude approximately
axially and which have locking lugs engaging in the profile, for
example in two opposite ratchet tracks. The tolerance compensation
plug can be inserted first with the spring elements into the
reservoir of the cartridge, such that the at least one locking
means stands vertically and thus counteracts slipping out.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cartridge
contains a tablet rider, which is movable in the axial direction in
the reservoir, engages through at least one axial slit in the
cartridge and is used to entrain the thrust means located in the
medicament dispenser, for example a thrust bracket, also preferably
movable in the axial direction, and to transfer a preferably
outwardly engaging and preferably axially directed elastic force to
the tablets contained in the preferably column-shaped arrangement
in the cartridge, and thus to hold down the preferably
column-shaped arrangement of tablets by means of the thrust
means.
By way of the thrust means, for example the thrust bracket, a force
is applied to the stack of tablets in the reservoir, which force
originates, for example, from springs engaging on the thrust means,
for example constant-force springs, such that the stack of tablets
is at all times under the effect of a force in the axial direction
when the cartridge is located in the medicament dispenser. This has
the result that the tablets cannot move freely in the reservoir. By
means of this force, the stack of tablets is pressed against the
receiving compartment in the singulation device, such that a tablet
always passes into the receiving compartment when the slide is
located in the first slide position. To achieve this, the thrust
means, for example the thrust bracket, sliding along the outside of
the cartridge can come into form-fit contact with the tablet rider.
For this purpose, the tablet rider, which is freely movable in the
axial direction in the reservoir of the cartridge, can engage
through at least one axial slit on the cartridge, for example with
an arm or also with two arms (in this case through in each case one
axial slit), such that the thrust means can exert the force on the
tablet rider, and thus on the stack of tablets, via this arm or
another projection. In this way, when the cartridge is located in
the medicament dispenser, an axial force is applied to the stack of
tablets, which axial force acts in the direction of the singulation
device. In this way, the stack is always pressed down, such that a
tablet can pass into the receiving compartment when said receiving
compartment in the singulation device is flush with the
reservoir.
Instead of a tablet rider, which has an arm engaging through a slit
in the cartridge housing, or several arms engaging through several
slits, with a force being applied to the stack of tablets from
outside via the tablet rider, it is also possible to choose another
embodiment in which no slit is provided in the cartridge housing.
In the latter case, the force must be applied to the stack of
tablets from outside in some other way, for example via an axial
transfer means which, at only one end of the cartridge housing or
at both ends of the cartridge housing, is subjected to an external
force, which then leads to an axial force being applied to the
stack of tablets. An embodiment of this kind can be obtained, for
example, by a band being inserted into the cartridge housing,
preferably at the lower end thereof, and being guided round the
stack of tablets. When this band is pulled, a downwardly acting
axial force is then applied to the stack of tablets. For example,
the band stretching round the stack of tablets can be guided out
laterally from the cartridge housing at the base of the stack of
tablets on both sides. Or the band is guided out only at one side
and is secured on the other side to the base of the cartridge
housing. Alternatively, an axially movable rod can also be used
which sits on the stack of tablets and applies an axial force to
the stack.
Quite generally, when a full cartridge is pushed into the dispenser
in the insertion direction, the thrust means, for example the
thrust bracket, can be entrained in this movement, for example by
the thrust means being entrained upward via the tablet rider. This
thrust means can also lock the cartridge in the dispenser via at
least one suitable locking means, for example by the entrained
thrust means running onto a run-on surface of a locking lever
arranged in the upper area of the dispenser for the purpose of
locking the cartridge in the dispenser. Upon successive unloading
of the cartridge, this thrust means can then be moved successively
downward, such that the filling level in the cartridge is coded by
the position thereof in the dispenser. When this thrust means
finally comes to a (lower) end position, which is predefined by the
empty cartridge, a lock can be undone, such that the cartridge can
be removed from the dispenser. This can be done, for example, by
the thrust means, in the lowermost position, bringing the locking
levers to an unlocked position and, if appropriate, additionally
unlocking suitable ejection means for the cartridge.
To ensure that the cartridge remains fixed in the dispenser after
insertion into the receiving shaft or, quite generally, after
insertion of the cartridge into the receiving means, at least one
locking means is provided for locking the cartridge in the
medicament dispenser. This locking action with the locking means is
preferably such that the cartridge is locked after being pushed
into the dispenser, i.e. cannot be removed again without the
locking action being cancelled, as long as there are still tablets
in the cartridge. Only after the cartridge is empty can the locking
action in this case be cancelled in order to be able to remove the
cartridge from the dispenser, such that a new cartridge filled with
tablets can be inserted.
For the locking action, a locking means of this kind can be formed,
for example, by one or more locking lugs on the cartridge and one
or more locking profiles, for example eyelets, on the dispenser,
which engage with or in the locking lugs, or conversely by one or
more locking lugs on the dispenser and one or more locking
profiles, for example eyelets, on the cartridge. In principle, of
course, other locking means are also possible, for example locking
lugs that engage behind projections, or two intermeshing locking
profiles or the like. For example, the at least one locking means
can be movable in rotation. It can preferably be formed by
rotatably movable locking levers, which in particular can have two
arms and can be equipped with locking lugs. In particular, the
locking lugs can each be arranged at the lower part of the locking
lever. The locking means are located in the dispenser. Each locking
lug preferably engages with a locking action on the locking levers
with a locking eyelet or the like provided on the cartridge.
Instead of a locking eyelet, it is also possible, for example, to
provide a projection on which the locking lug engages, or a recess
in which the locking lug engages. To additionally secure the
locking action, a pressure point can also be provided on the
locking levers, at a position other than the one where a locking
lug or a projection is provided, which locks behind a corresponding
locking lug or a projection, for example in the dispenser
housing.
In a particularly expedient embodiment, the locking levers with the
locking lugs can protrude into an area which adjoins the area in
which the cartridge is received in the dispenser, for example in
the front area of the dispenser adjoining the receiving means for
the cartridge in the dispenser, for example the receiving shaft. On
the cartridge, in the adjoining area, receiving eyelets then have
to be provided into which the locking lugs of the locking levers
engage. This adjoining area can be located, for example, on the
bottom shell of the cartridge.
In addition, an ejection block can also be provided which, for
example, can comprise a release lever. External, manually actuated
ejection means for ejecting the cartridge, for example an ejection
button, are blocked by the ejection block, such that removal of the
cartridge is possible only when the cartridge no longer contains
any tablets. This block blocks the actuation of these external
ejection means and only frees them again when the cartridge is
empty. This block can in particular be released by means for
cancelling the locking action. For this purpose, an ejection slide
that can be actuated by the ejection button can be provided, in
which case the release lever blocks the ejection slide, and thus
the ejection button, when the cartridge still contains at least one
medicament portion.
If the aforementioned at least one locking means leads to a locking
of the cartridge in the dispenser, i.e. the at least one locking
means can no longer be released without separate cancellation of
this locking action, at least one means must also be provided for
cancelling the locking action. This means for cancelling the
locking action is preferably designed such that the locking action
can be cancelled only when there are no more medicament portions
left in the cartridge. Without a locking action, the catch could be
released simply by manually overcoming the locking force of the at
least one locking means. This would be possible if the at least one
locking means, by suitable design of the parts forming the locking
connection, is designed such that these slide along one another,
when a force is applied releasing the locking means, such that the
locking action is cancelled.
However, if a locking action takes place upon engagement of the at
least one locking means, for example because the locking lugs and
locking profiles are so designed that the locking action cannot be
cancelled without destroying the at least one locking means, unless
the locking action is released at the same time, the at least one
means for cancelling the locking action must be released manually
or preferably by a mechanism present in the dispenser, or also by a
combination of these means. For this purpose, the dispenser can
accommodate at least one unlocking means which, depending on the
filling state of the cartridge with tablets, releases the locking
lugs of the locking levers, preferably only when the cartridge is
empty. In this case, the at least one locked locking means is
released by the at least one unlocking means, by the at least one
locking means being brought from a locking position to the unlocked
position without external manual actuation. This unlocking means
can in particular be the above-described thrust means, which brings
the locking of the cartridge to the locked position upon insertion
and to the unlocked position after emptying of the cartridge. The
locking means are locked by the thrust means pressing against one
or more upper parts of the locking lever. Moreover, the thrust
means can also act on the ejection block and release the latter,
preferably when there are no more tablets left in the cartridge.
For this purpose, the thrust means for releasing the blockade of
the ejection means can actuate the release lever, such that the
ejection slide and with it the ejection means are unlocked. The
ejection slide preferably presses, by actuation of the ejection
means, against one or more lower parts of the locking means,
preferably of the locking lever, and in this way unlocks the
cartridge locked with the locking means.
The unlocking can be effected, for example, by suitable means in
the medicament dispenser, the position of which means is dependent
on the filling level of the cartridge. For this purpose, for
example, the thrust bracket, mounted axially movably on the
cartridge, or another movable thrust means can be provided which,
for example, is in each case located at the height of the tablet
located at the uppermost position in the cartridge. It is only when
there are no longer any tablets in the cartridge that the thrust
bracket, or the other thrust means, is also located at the lower
pole position and in this case releases the locking action.
To be able to unlock the external, manual ejection means for
ejecting the cartridge, i.e. to be able to release the blockade of
the ejection block, the same means for cancelling the locking
action can be provided again, for example the aforementioned thrust
bracket or the other thrust means, whose position is dependent on
the filling level of the cartridge.
In another embodiment of the invention, at least one elastic means
can be provided which, upon insertion of the cartridge into the
medicament dispenser, exerts an elastic force on the cartridge in
the axial direction counter to a direction in which the cartridge
is pushed into the medicament dispenser (direction of insertion).
This has the result that the cartridge in the dispenser is under
tension, preferably spring tension. The spring force acting on the
cartridge has the effect that the tablets in the cartridge are
pressed against one another, such that they do not fall back and
forth in the reservoir of the cartridge during the movement of the
dispenser. Since the tablets are always under spring tension, the
order initially set up in the stack of tablets is not lost.
The spring force is preferably exerted by elastic means configured
in the form of at least one constant-force spring, in particular
two constant-force springs. In this way, the stack of tablets
located in the reservoir of the cartridge can always be subjected
to the same force independently of the actual height, i.e. of the
filling level of the cartridge, such that the tablets are treated
carefully, without having to lose the advantage of applying tension
to the stack of tablets, even when the latter is only very small,
for example comprising two or three tablets. The at least one
elastic means can be formed, for example, by at least one spring
steel band.
The abovementioned thrust means, for example the abovementioned
thrust bracket, which is movable preferably along the receiving
shaft, can also be used in particular to transfer an elastic force
to the tablets contained in a column-shaped arrangement in the
cartridge. This thrust means can, on the one hand, have the
function of transferring the outer elastic force to the stack of
tablets. This is done, for example, by securing a spring or two
springs on the thrust means and on a counter-bearing in the
medicament dispenser. It is preferable to provide two
constant-force springs, of which one is secured on one end of the
thrust means, for example on one end of the thrust bracket, and the
other is secured on the other end of the thrust means, for example
on the other end of the thrust bracket, such that a symmetrical
force is transferred to the thrust means. Alternatively, it is also
possible to provide a single spring, which engages on the thrust
means. In this case, asymmetrical forces that are generated are
intended to be compensated. As has already been explained above,
the thrust means can also be used among other things to cancel the
locking action for ejecting the cartridge and the ejection block,
i.e. the thrust means can at least be part of the means for
cancelling the locking action.
The medicament dispenser according to the invention, which if
appropriate does not initially contain a cartridge, and which is
designed to receive an exchangeable cartridge that has a reservoir
for the medicament portions and a singulation device for dispensing
defined medicament portions, comprises at least one actuating
device for the singulation device and also means for producing an
operative connection between the at least one actuating device and
a movable mechanism on the singulation device for separating a
defined medicament portion from the reservoir and for dispensing it
from the medicament dispenser.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one
actuating device comprises, on at least one narrow side of the
medicament dispenser, an actuating means for dispensing medicament
portions. Moreover, a further actuating means can be provided on
another narrow side of the medicament dispenser, preferably on the
second narrow side directed away from the first narrow side. These
actuating means each serve to dispense a tablet from the cartridge
by manual actuation. For this purpose, the actuating means can be
operatively connected to the singulation device via suitable
transfer means in a mechanical, electromechanical or electronic
operative connection, in order in each case to release one tablet
from the cartridge. As the actuating means are provided on the
narrow sides of the medicament dispenser, they can be easily
actuated even when the user operates the dispenser with just one
hand, for example by the user holding the dispenser in one hand and
applying pressure to the narrow sides of the dispenser and thus
actuating the actuating means. Instead of the actuating means being
positioned on one or both narrow sides of the dispenser, the
actuating means can also be arranged at another location on the
dispenser, for example on the front or rear of the dispenser, or on
one or both end faces.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transfer means by
which the actuating means are operatively connected mechanically to
the singulation device are formed by mechanisms by which a movement
generated by actuation of the actuating means is transferred to a
singulation device provided on the cartridge. For this purpose, for
example, transport levers can be used which, if appropriate, can be
synchronized, for example via in each case a toothed rod and a
toothed wheel meshing with the latter. The transport levers can,
for example, be in a direct mechanical operative connection to the
singulation device, for example a form-fit connection, for example
by provision of a carrier pin on the singulation device and of a
recess, operatively connected to the carrier pin, on at least one
of the transport levers, or vice versa.
Moreover, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a window can
be provided in an outer face of the housing of the medicament
dispenser, such that the tablets located in the cartridge are
visible from the outside. This permits a visual check of the
filling level of the cartridge. Moreover, the tablet rider can be
colored in order to contrast it against the tablets and, for
example, also against the background of the cartridge and/or the
components of the dispenser otherwise visible through the window.
This makes visual monitoring of the filling level of the cartridge
through the window easier. For this purpose, the cartridge can
preferably be made at least partially of a transparent material. In
principle, however, it can also be made at least partially of a
translucent material. In particular, the part of the cartridge that
is visible through the window in the housing of the dispenser can
be made of a transparent or translucent material, such that the
tablets contained in the cartridge are visible.
In addition, the medicament dispenser can have an electronic
display for showing the number of tablets taken and/or the number
of tablets still to be taken and/or the number of tablets still
located in the cartridge. Each of these information items can be
displayed alternately, for example by manual selection. The
electronic display can additionally be designed such that alarm
signals are displayed, for example to show that a time period
during which a tablet is to be taken has been exceeded or has not
been met, and to show the charge status of a battery used in the
dispenser. The display can also be used to view the status of
different administration phases, for example a display showing that
the user is in a first, second, third or n-th phase, where the
first phase, for example, can constantly cover 24 days, the second
phase being flexible, for example from 0 to 96 days, and the third
phase again constantly covering 4 days for example.
To be able to display said information on the electronic display,
an electronic circuit is provided, preferably in the form of a
circuit board with an integrated semiconductor circuit accommodated
thereon. Switches can also be mounted on and connected to the
circuit board, preferably electrical operating buttons, in order to
perform the required inputs, for example for selecting the display
mode (number of tablets taken, number of tablets still located in
the cartridge). Moreover, electrical switches can be provided in
the dispenser in order to be able to automatically determine
certain operating states of the dispenser with the cartridge, for
example the first use of the dispenser by first insertion or
pushing-in of the cartridge into the dispenser, as a result of
which, for example, batteries serving to supply power to the
electrical circuit and to the electronic display are activated,
i.e. are connected to the circuit and to the display, and also the
dispensing of a tablet, the ejection of the cartridge and/or the
detection of a defined small number of tablets remaining in the
cartridge, in order to correctly display how many tablets are still
located in the cartridge. For the last-mentioned function, it is
normally sufficient, starting from the number of the tablets in a
completely full cartridge, to calculate how many tablets are still
located therein, if each dispensing of a tablet is detected.
However, this display may be subject to error if the number of the
tablets fluctuates because of an unavoidable thickness tolerance of
the tablets in the completely full cartridge. This error can be
ruled out by detecting that, for example, there are still four
tablets located in the cartridge.
The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of
illustrative embodiments, which are depicted schematically in the
figures. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments
and instead only presents a preferred embodiment. Other embodiments
with variants of the individual features of the invention are
equally conceivable and fall within the scope of protection of the
invention. Identical reference signs in the individual figures
designate identical elements or designate elements that are
identical in function or that correspond in terms of their
function.
FIG. 1A shows a perspective front view of the dispenser according
to the invention with inserted cartridge;
FIG. 1B shows the same as FIG. 1A in a rear view;
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the interior of the dispenser
with an inserted cartridge, the dispenser being shown here from the
rear;
FIG. 3 shows a perspective detail of the lower part of the housing
interior framework, with the parts of the singulation device that
are necessary for dispensing tablets, the housing interior
framework being shown here from the front of the dispenser;
FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the cartridge filled with tablets
and with the singulation device, seen from the front;
FIG. 4A shows a sectional view of the head of the cartridge, seen
from the front;
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the dispenser without outer
skin, with an inserted cartridge (open) filled with tablets, seen
from the rear;
FIG. 5A shows, like FIG. 1, a detail of the pressure point on the
left-hand locking lever;
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the housing interior framework
of the dispenser, with the thrust bracket and the constant-force
springs, seen from the rear of the dispenser;
FIG. 7 shows a detail of the dispenser without outer skin seen from
the rear, with the locks for the cartridge;
FIG. 7A shows a view as in FIG. 7, being a perspective detail of
the left-hand part of the dispenser, with locked cartridge;
FIG. 7B shows the same as FIG. 7A, with the cartridge unlocked;
FIG. 8A shows a perspective partial view of the lower part of the
dispenser without the lateral housing part, with the ejection
button and the release button when the cartridge is full, seen from
the right-hand side;
FIG. 8B shows the same as FIG. 8A, with the cartridge empty;
FIG. 8C shows a perspective view of the release button with leg
spring and ejection slide, seen from the rear;
FIG. 8D shows the same as FIG. 8C, upon ejection of the
cartridge;
FIG. 8E shows a section through the dispenser without the front
part and back part of the housing, seen from the rear;
FIG. 9 shows a detail of the dispenser, seen from the rear.
The dispenser 1 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B is used to dispense tablets
T, which are taken for contraception, for example. The dispenser is
suitable in particular for dispensing contraceptives that are taken
on a daily basis in what is called a flexible regimen, i.e. in a
first administration phase, which lasts for 24 days, thereafter in
a second administration phase, which lasts for 0 to 96 days, such
that the first and second administration phases can together last
for up to 120 days. In this case the user decides, after expiry of
the first administration phase, when the administration is to be
discontinued and an administration-free phase begun. An
administration-free phase of 4 days following on from the second
administration phase is followed again by the first administration
phase.
Of course, the dispenser can also be used to dispense other tablets
T, for example medicaments for hormone replacement therapy,
diuretics or antihypertensive agents.
The dispenser 1 comprises a dispenser housing 10 with a housing
front shell 11.1 (FIG. 1A) and a housing rear shell 11.2 (FIG. 1B),
and a housing part 12 which connects the two housing shells,
encloses the dispenser on three narrow sides, is composed of
several parts and, in the lower area, is designed on each side as
an actuating button 14, 15. The housing part is made of a composite
material in order to ensure that the part located at one end face
in the area 13 is rigid, while the two actuating buttons located
laterally on the narrow faces of the dispenser are movable, so as
to be able to perform a button movement (see arrows) directed
toward the dispenser body. Alternatively, the housing part can also
be designed as a deformable hard shell that can be pressed inward
in the lower area, such that the actuating buttons are formed.
An electronic display 16 and operating buttons 17, 18 are provided
in the housing front shell 11.1. The electronic display is used for
checking the administration of the tablets T. The operating buttons
14, 15 are used to select a menu item shown on the display, for
example for checking the battery, the administration day, the
administration-free day, and the number of tablets still located in
the cartridge, and for choosing whether administration of the
tablets should be discontinued.
FIG. 1B shows the rear face of the dispenser 1. The rear face
contains a window 20 that extends in the axial direction and
reveals the tablets T contained in the cartridge. For this purpose,
the housing rear shell 11.2 of the cartridge in the area of the
window and the cartridge housing must be made transparent at least
in the part visible through the window.
In the lower area of the dispenser 1, part of the cartridge can be
seen, namely the cartridge bottom shell 920, which lies flush on
the housing of the dispenser. A dispensing opening 922 for the
tablets T can be seen in the cartridge bottom shell (FIG. 1A). The
cartridge ejection button 19 is let into the housing front shell
11.1 and is pushed in the direction of the arrow in order to eject
the cartridge from the dispenser when empty.
FIG. 2 shows a part of the dispenser 1 (without outer skin) and a
cartridge 900 pushed into the dispenser, seen from the rear. The
cartridge is pushed into the dispenser from below (see arrow), and
the cartridge has a singulation device 910 of which part is the
cartridge bottom shell 920 and via which the cartridge bears on the
dispenser housing in the lower area of the dispenser (FIG. 1A). The
cartridge additionally comprises a cartridge housing 930 in which
the tablets T are located. This housing is formed by a cartridge
front shell 933 and by a cartridge rear shell (not shown) which,
for use in the dispenser, is preferably made of a transparent
material, such that the tablets can be seen through the window 20
on the rear face of the dispenser (FIG. 1B).
In its inside, the dispenser 1 contains a housing interior
framework 100, which assumes substantially all the static functions
of the dispenser. The housing interior framework has, for example,
a central web 11 0 (concealed) curved cylindrically inward from one
side in order to receive the cartridge housing 930 (the front half
of the cartridge housing can be seen only in part). The inward
curve of this web, together with further structural elements (not
shown here) of the dispenser, forms a receiving shaft (indicated by
reference sign 150) into which the cartridge can be pushed from
below into the dispenser. The receiving shaft is only indicated
here by broken lines and is characterized by an elongate hollow
space.
FIG. 3 shows the lower part of the housing interior framework 100
of the dispenser 1 freed of the outer skin, seen from the front.
The singulation device 910 of the cartridge is shown at the bottom
narrow side of the dispenser, but in this case without the bottom
shell 920. For this reason, a tablet slide 940 belonging to the
singulation device can be seen here, which tablet slide 940 slides
in a slide holder 950 and is received by the latter and has a
through-opening 942 that also serves as a receiving compartment for
tablets T that are to be dispensed. In a first position, this
receiving compartment is flush with the dispensing opening of the
bottom shell, such that a tablet located in the receiving
compartment can be dispensed outward. When the tablet slide has
been moved to a second position (toward the left as shown by the
arrow), the receiving compartment is flush with the reservoir for
the tablets that is formed by the cartridge housing 930 (not
shown), such that a tablet can fall into the receiving compartment
in this position. The receiving compartment is closed off at the
bottom by the cartridge bottom shell 920 (not shown) in this
position. To effect this movement, the following structural
elements are provided:
The actuating buttons 14, 15 on the dispenser housing 10 are
pressed inward to actuate the dispenser 1 (FIG. 1A; see arrows). In
doing this, they act on two transport levers, namely a right-hand
transport lever 210 and a left-hand transport lever 220. These two
transport levers have toothed rods 212 and 222, respectively, and
are operatively connected to a toothed wheel 230 via these toothed
rods. The toothed wheel is mounted on the housing interior
framework 100. The right-hand transport lever is supported on an
abutment 102 via a compression spring 240, such that this transport
lever and therefore also the left-hand transport lever return to
the starting position (first position), i.e. to a position in which
both levers are driven outwards, after actuation of the actuating
buttons. A jib arm 224, which has a recess 226, is also formed
integrally on the transport lever. A carrier lug 944 is formed
integrally on the tablet slide 940 and engages in this recess. As
the transport levers 210, 220 are forced outward by the spring
force of the compression spring 240, the levers are located on the
outside in the unloaded (first) position, such that the tablet
slide is located in the right-hand position (shown in FIG. 3). In
this position, the receiving compartment 942 in the tablet slide is
flush with the dispensing opening 922 in the cartridge bottom shell
920. By actuation of the actuating buttons 14, 15, the transport
levers are forced inward and thus push the tablet slide to the left
(second position). In this way, the receiving compartment is moved
to a position flush with the reservoir of the cartridge, such that
a tablet falls out of the reservoir into the receiving compartment.
When the actuating buttons are let go, the transport levers and
thus also the receiving compartment located in the slide are
conveyed back to the right by spring force, such that the receiving
compartment again reaches the position in which it is flush with
the dispensing opening. In this way, a tablet is dispensed from the
dispenser.
FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a cartridge 900 filled with
tablets T, seen from the front. The cartridge has a singulation
device 910 with the cartridge bottom shell 920 recognizable here,
and a cartridge housing 930 composed of the cartridge front shell
(not shown here) and the cartridge rear shell 932. By means of the
cartridge front shell and the cartridge rear shell, a cylindrical
reservoir is formed in which the tablets are stacked. Between the
two cartridge shells, an axially extending slit is located on one
side (the right-hand side).
In the form shown here, the cartridge 900 can be handled
separately, i.e. can be used to replenish the dispenser 1, by means
of the cartridge being pushed from the end face into the
substantially cylindrical receiving shaft 150 in the dispenser and
being locked therein. For transport and storage of the separate
cartridge, the latter is preferably sealed in a watertight and
airtight secondary package, for example in a pouch or a blister
pack.
Situated in the cartridge housing 930, above the stack of tablets
T, there is a tablet rider 960 that can in principle move freely in
the axial direction in the reservoir of the cartridge (FIG. 4A),
For this purpose, a rider arm 961 of the tablet rider engages
through the axially extending slit between the cartridge front
shell 933 (not shown) and the cartridge rear shell 932. The tablet
rider rests on the stack of tablets. However, the axial movement of
the tablet rider is limited toward the top by a tolerance
compensation plug 970. This plug is fitted into the reservoir
before the cartridge 900 is filled with the tablets T and, after
the cartridge has been filled, is pressed onto the stack of tablets
and the tablet rider. Since the tolerance compensation plug slides
with frictional engagement in the reservoir, it is pressed onto the
stack of tablets, during handling of the cartridge outside the
dispenser, and holds the stack together, such that the individual
tablets cannot slip out of place or against one another. On the one
hand, this avoids abrasion of the tablets and, on the other hand,
avoids the tablets being set edgeways or at an angle during the
free movement. This prevents tilting and therefore jamming of the
tablets in the reservoir. To achieve the frictional sliding of the
tolerance compensation plug 970, the latter has a main body 971 and
two spring elements with locking lugs 972, 972', which bear on the
inside wall of the cartridge housing. To effect the frictional
engagement, the inside wall, in the areas where the locking lugs
are in contact with the inside wall, has mutually opposite ratchet
tracks 975 in which the locking lugs engage (see detail in FIG.
4A). These ratchet tracks are formed only along a length of ca. 2
cm, since the tolerance compensation plug is intended to keep the
tablets so tightly packed during handling only when the cartridge
is completely full, such that the plug must be frictionally
connected to the inside wall of the cartridge housing only in that
area where it is necessary to compensate for the fluctuation in
stack height resulting from the thickness tolerance of the
individual tablets.
FIG. 5 shows the dispenser 1 without outer skin and seen from the
rear, said dispenser 1 containing a cartridge 900 filled with
tablets T. The cartridge contains the tablet rider 960, which sits
on the stack of tablets and which has a rider arm 961 protruding
from the cartridge housing 930. The tolerance compensation plug
970, which encloses the spring elements with locking lugs 972 (one
of the spring elements is shown here), sits on the tablet rider.
The locking lugs of the spring elements engage in the ratchet
tracks 975.
The dispenser 1 additionally comprises a thrust bracket 300 which
engages around the central web 110 of the housing interior
framework 100 and is movable along this web in the axial direction
and guided thereon, for example by a dovetail guide, formed by the
side faces of the web and the U-legs 311, 312 of the bracket, or by
locking of these U-legs onto the side faces of the web (FIG.
6).
In FIG. 6, the housing interior framework 100 with the thrust
bracket 300 is shown from the rear of the dispenser 1. The thrust
bracket has two jibs 315, 316 which are formed on the U-legs 311,
312, approximately at right angles thereto. At the ends of these
jibs there are fastenings for one end of the constant-force springs
320, 330. At their respective other ends, the constant-force
springs are fastened in the lower part of the housing interior
framework 100 and wound up there. In this way, an upward movement
of the thrust bracket in the axial direction can be achieved only
counter to the spring force of the constant-force springs.
Alternatively, however, the constant-force springs can also be held
wound in suitable holders on the thrust bracket, for example on the
jibs thereof, and their other ends fastened at the bottom on the
housing interior framework.
When the cartridge is pushed from below into the receiving shaft
150 (not shown here) in the dispenser 1 (arrow), the rider arm 961
(FIG. 5) engaging through the axial slit between the cartridge rear
shell (not shown) and the cartridge front shell 933 of the
cartridge engages on the underside of the U-leg 311 of the thrust
bracket 300 and pushes the thrust bracket upward as the cartridge
is pushed in. Since the tablet rider 960 sits on the stack of
tablets and the cartridge is full when being pushed in, the thrust
bracket is also pushed upward as far as the upper end of the
central web. In this way, the two constant-force springs 320, 330
are tensioned, such that the thrust bracket is subject to a
downwardly directed spring tension. This tension is transferred via
the tablet rider to the stack of tablets.
When the cartridge 900 is pushed into the receiving shaft 150 of
the dispenser 1, the cartridge is locked in the dispenser. For this
purpose, a left-hand locking lever 420 and a right-hand locking
lever 410 are provided for the cartridge. The locking levers are
mounted on the housing interior framework 100 at pivot points 415,
425. Locking lugs 412, 422 are provided at the respective lower
ends of the locking levers (FIGS. 7, 7A, 7B). These locking lugs
412, 422 engage in corresponding eyelets 981, 982 on the housing
front shell 932 of the cartridge (FIGS. 7A, 7B) when the lower legs
of the locking levers and therefore the locking lugs of the locking
levers are tilted inward (FIG. 5; see inwardly directed arrows).
This tilting movement is brought about by the fact that the thrust
bracket 300, upon insertion of the cartridge into the dispenser, is
pushed upward on the central web 110 of the housing interior
framework and, in the upper area, then slides along the run-on
surfaces 416, 426 of the locking levers and thus forces the locking
levers apart from each other at the top. In this way, the upper
legs of the locking levers are pivoted outward, and the lower legs
are thus pivoted inward. Spring arms 417, 427, which are formed
integrally on the locking levers above the respective pivot points,
are snapped in behind associated projections 419, 429 on the
housing interior framework via corresponding pressure points 418,
428, such that the locking levers are held fixedly in this position
(FIG. 5A). Therefore, after a full cartridge has been pushed in,
the locking levers are arrested in the locked position, such that
the cartridge can no longer be removed without auxiliary means.
This ensures that, after being inserted into and locked in the
dispenser, a cartridge cannot be removed again, as long as the
cartridge is completely full upon insertion, since the thrust
bracket is pushed up as far as the run-on surfaces of the locking
levers and thus transfers these to the locked position. This
locking action is maintained until the cartridge is completely
empty.
To be able to eject an empty cartridge from the dispenser, an
ejection mechanism is provided which cancels the block caused by
the locking levers. Details of this ejection mechanism are shown in
FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D and 8E.
To be able to eject the cartridge, a release lever 500 is provided
which is located directly behind the ejection slide 600 comprising
the ejection button 19 (concealed).
The release lever is fixed by means of a leg spring 510 (FIGS. 8C,
8D) in a substantially perpendicular position. For this purpose,
the release lever is mounted, by way of pins 520, 520', on the
housing front shell 11.1 in claws 121, 122, which are integrally
formed on the housing front shell 11.1. The release lever is
pivotable in the claws (arrows in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D), but only
counter to the spring force of the leg spring.
The release lever 500 blocks the ejection slide 600, and thus the
ejection button 19, by virtue of the fact that catch lugs 531, 532
(or alternatively just a single catch lug) lie in front of
corresponding projections 611, 612 of the ejection slide (or
alternatively in front of just a single projection) in the rest
position of the release lever and block the downward translation
movement of the slide (ejection block). FIG. 8C shows the ejection
slide blocked by the release lever, while the ejection slide in the
view in FIG. 8D is unlocked and already pushed down.
As the cartridge 900 empties as a result of tablets T being
dispensed, the thrust bracket 300 in the dispenser 1 slides
downward (FIG. 8B). When the thrust bracket has reached the
lowermost position during the stroke for the last tablet in the
cartridge, it engages the lever 540 of the release lever 500 and
tilts the latter forward, with its lower end, counter to the spring
force of the leg spring 510 (FIG. 8B; arrow). In this way, the
release lever frees the ejection slide 600, with the catch lugs
531, 532 being moved away from the corresponding projections 611,
612 of the ejection slide.
The function of the locking levers 410, 420 upon release of the
cartridge 900 is shown in FIG. 8E. The locking of the cartridge is
cancelled by the ejection slide 600 being pushed down by about 2 mm
(arrow). In doing so, the run-on surfaces 551, 552 of the ejection
slide come into contact with the lower legs of the locking levers
410, 420, such that these are pressed outward (arrows). In this
way, the locking lugs 412, 422 of the locking levers are pressed
outward and released from the eyelets 981, 982 of the cartridge.
The cartridge is released in this way. By further downward movement
of the ejection slide, the cartridge can now be ejected in a
downward direction. For this purpose, the catch lugs of the
ejection slide act at the same time as ejection lugs, since they
engage on the edge of the top face of the cartridge bottom shell
920 and press this down as a result of the downwardly directed
movement. The cartridge can then be gripped by hand and withdrawn
from the receiving shaft 150 of the dispenser 1. After actuation,
the ejection slide returns again to the original position under a
spring force. The leg spring 510 serves this purpose.
The dispenser 1 has an electronic display 16 and two electronic
operating buttons 17, 18 (FIG. 1A). The electronic display is used
to display the number of tablets T located in the cartridge 900,
and the status of tablet administration, i.e. whether the first
administration phase of 24 days has or has not yet elapsed and, if
the former is the case, the number of days that have already
elapsed in the second flexible administration phase. It is also
possible to display whether, during the administration phase, a
tablet has not been taken within a defined time interval. In
addition, the display can also show how many days have already
elapsed in an administration-free phase that may have been
introduced. Moreover, the display can show a battery status. The
operating buttons can be used to select the move to the
administration-free phase and to choose from various menu
options.
The dispenser 1 contains batteries 1010, 1020 (FIGS. 2, 5)
(alternatively also just a single battery) that are designed to
maintain the functionality of the dispenser 1 for as long as
possible without the need to replace them. Therefore, the dispenser
contains an initializing switch 710, which starts it up when a
cartridge 900 is pushed into the dispenser for the first time and
which is arranged on the housing interior framework (FIG. 9). This
switch is formed by a switch branch 430 of the left-hand locking
lever 420, on the upper arm thereof. When the cartridge is pushed
in, it pushes the upper arm of the left-hand locking lever outward,
because the thrust bracket 300 slides along the run-on surface 426
on the upper arm of this locking lever and in so doing presses the
arm outward (FIG. 5). The switch branch formed integrally on the
left-hand locking lever is pressed against the initializing switch
and actuates it. The actuation of this switch initializes the
electronics, hitherto present in a rest position without power
consumption, and, by virtue of the special construction of the
initializing switch, the electronics remain switched on even after
the withdrawal of the cartridge.
At the same time as the electronics are initialized when a
cartridge 900 is pushed into the dispenser 1 for the first time, a
second switch (not shown) located next to the initializing switch
710 is activated and remains switched on only for as long as the
upper arm of the right-hand lock is pressed outward, i.e. for as
long as the cartridge remains in the dispenser. After the cartridge
has been removed, this second switch is switched off again by the
inward pivoting of the upper arm of the locking lever 420. This
second switch signals to the electronics that a cartridge is
located in the dispenser. In this way, the number of tablets T
located in the dispenser can be calculated, specifically on the
basis that there is always a defined number of tablets T in a full
cartridge, for example 30 tablets, and also by a further signal
which is forwarded to the electronics and with which each removal
of a tablet from the dispenser is registered. Moreover, when an
empty cartridge is removed from the dispenser and a full cartridge
is inserted, the further signal from the second switch also informs
the electronics that a completely full cartridge is now once again
located in the dispenser.
The further signal with which removal of a tablet T from the
dispenser 1 is registered is generated by a third switch (not
shown) which is located in the area of one of the transport levers
210, 220 and which, upon each actuation of the transport levers, is
switched and thus generates this further signal.
The dispenser 1 further contains a fourth switch (not shown) which
is located in the lower area of the receiving shaft 150 and with
which the sliding past of the thrust bracket 300 is registered and
conveyed as an additional signal to the electronics. Shortly before
final emptying of the cartridge 900, for example when only five
tablets T are left in the cartridge, this fourth switch is used to
forward to the electronics a signal concerning the number of
tablets remaining in the cartridge. This is defined by the exact
spatial positioning of this fourth switch on the receiving shaft,
as a result of which the fourth switch is actuated by removal of a
tablet only when there is still a predetermined number of tablets
in the cartridge. This verification count may be necessary in order
to correctly display to the user how many tablets are still located
in the cartridge when there are just a few of them. This ensures
that no false assumption is made regarding the number of remaining
tablets, since it could be critical if the user were not warned in
good time of the cartridge having been emptied. This precautionary
measure is advantageous when the degree to which a cartridge is
filled with tablets cannot be safely verified by all the control
measures in place during the filling sequence. This is because the
height of an individual tablet has a tolerance, with the result
that the height of the stack of tablets can also fluctuate. In any
case, however, the user can determine by way of the window 20 in
the housing rear shell 11.2 whether there are still tablets left in
the cartridge.
It will be appreciated that the examples and embodiments described
here serve only for illustration and that various modifications and
amendments to the examples and embodiments, and also combinations
of other features described in this application, will be
immediately apparent to a person skilled in the art and fall within
the disclosure of the invention described here and within the scope
of protection of the claims. All patents and patent applications
referred to here are hereby incorporated in the disclosure of the
application.
* * * * *